April 11, 2024 (Winnipeg, MB) – Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C) and its 10 provincial members are taking students on virtual tours of farms and growing operations in every province this spring with Season 3 of the Great Canadian Farm Tour (GCFT).
This year, the season kicks off with a tour to an alpaca farm in Ontario on April 11 and includes tour stops through the month of May to explore vertical farming in BC, see a cricket operation in Manitoba, learn about greenhouse operations in Quebec and Nova Scotia and experience oyster farming in PEI. There is something new for everyone to learn about Canada’s rich agriculture story from coast to coast.
“Over the past two seasons, we have virtually travelled coast to coast visiting farms in each province with our provincial partners and there is still so much to explore thanks to Canada’s amazing agriculture industry,” says Mathieu Rouleau, Executive Director of AITC-C. “The tours are a unique way to connect students with farmers to experience what it’s like on farms across Canada and learn more about the important role agriculture plays in our lives every day.”
Launched in March 2022 to celebrate Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month (CALM), the GCFT has created over 840,000 student experiences with 21 virtual farm tours over the last two years. The GCFT provides the opportunity for students and educators to connect and interact with Canadian farmers and food processors, who are eager to tell their stories of how they are working to produce safe, nutritious, and sustainable food.
FCC is the presenting partner for the GCFT and a valued supporter of AITC-C.
“FCC is pleased to continue supporting Agriculture in the Classroom’s Great Canadian Farm Tour. We need the passion, innovation, ideas, and energy from Canada’s young people to help our industry tackle the major issues facing the world,” says Justine Hendricks, FCC president and CEO. “The Great Canadian Farm Tour also showcases and inspires the many diverse careers available in the agriculture and food industry ranging from the scientists developing weather-resistant seeds to drone technology and AI innovations helping farmers and food producers deliver sustainable food to the world. It's never too early to plant those seeds with students.”
While all grade levels are invited to participate, tours are targeted at students in kindergarten to Grade 6. All tours will be available in both English and French with simultaneous translation and closed captioning for accessibility. Teachers will be provided with online resource sets including curriculum-linked extension activities to accompany each tour and keep students engaged.
To learn more about the Great Canadian Farm Tour and to register, visit aitc-canada.ca/en-ca/resources-programs/the-great-canadian-farms-tour
Great Canadian Farm Tour – Season 3:
April 11 at 1 p.m. EDT - Alpacas in Ontario with AgScape
April 17 at 1 p.m. EDT - Vertical Farming in British Columbia with BCAITC
April 18 at 12 p.m. EDT - Floral Greenhouse in Nova Scotia with AITCNS
April 24 at 12 p.m. EDT- Beef and Potatoes in Alberta with Agriculture for Life
May 1 at 10:30 a.m. EDT - Greenhouse Tomatoes in Quebec with Ecole O Champ
May 9 at 12 p.m. EDT - Wild blueberries in New Brunswick with AITCNB
May 15 at 12 p.m. EDT - Dairy Farming in Newfoundland and Labrador with AITCNL
May 16 at 1 p.m. EDT - Oysters in Prince Edward Island with AITCPEI
May 21 at 1 p.m. EDT - Research Farm in Saskatchewan with AITC-SK
May 30 at 11:30 a.m. EDT – Cricket Farming in Manitoba with AITC-M
With a vision to create meaningful connections to agriculture and food, AITC-C is the national advocate for agriculture education, representing a collective of 10 provincial member organizations who deliver agriculture education on the ground across Canada. AITC-C is the umbrella organization connecting the national network to facilitate sharing and collaboration and deliver accurate, balanced, and current resources. Visit www.aitc-canada.ca to learn more.
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For more information, contact:
Tracey Shelton
tshelton@aitc-canada.ca
204-995-2102